‘Jan Akrosh’ march: Ashok Chavan dubs Centre as ‘anti-poor’

Chavan claimed the morcha was a a "success" as the "common man participated in large numbers".

Mumbai, Nov 28 : Dubbing the BJP-led government at the Centre as “anti-poor”, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Ashok Chavan today said his party will raise in Parliament and state legislature the issue of hardships being faced by people due to demonetization . The winter session of Maharashtra Legislature begins in Nagpur from December 5. Addressing a rally outside suburban collector office after the ‘Jan Akrosh’ march from Kalina to Kherwadi junction in Bandra, Chavan alleged that the government had waived Vijay Mallya’s loan but not that of farmers.

“The BJP government at the Centre is anti-poor. Nine farmers have committed suicide recently, still the government has no shame,” he alleged. Chavan claimed the morcha was a a “success” as the “common man participated in large numbers”. Congress leaders were joined by NCP city unit president Sachin Ahir and their workers in the march in suburban Mumbai to protest against the difficulties being faced by the common man due to demonetization. Mumbai unit chief Sanjay Nirupam, city Congress leaders Kripashankar Singh, Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan, Rajya Sabha member Hussain Dalwai and NCP Mumbai president Sachin Ahir spoke on the occasion.

Ahir said the ill-effects of the November 8 decision taken without any proper planning are being felt till today. Chavan said the citizens who deposited their money in bank accounts are not able to withdraw the same. Small traders, farmers, labourers, working class have been the worst hit due to the sudden demonetization. Rural economy has virtually collapsed, he said.

Nirupam said hawkers, shopkeepers, traders in Dharavi, Kalina, Santacruz, Kurla and Bandra extended support to the protest march. He said Mumbai Congress had organised “Money Ki Baat” outside railway stations and banks in Byculla, Kurla, Andheri and Jogeshwari areas of the metropolis to highlight the poor implementation of demonetization. Nirupam claimed Federation of Maharashtra, Maharashtra State Chemists and Druggists Association, Mumbai Gold Wholesale Association and taxi-autorickshaw unions in Mumbai also supported and participated in the morcha.